Just Italy-Italian Deli “Straordinario”


A culinary adventure is underway in Metairie at Just Italy, an Italian Deli “Straordinario” (extraordinary), where the cooking traditions of Italy can be explored through their exquisite selections of imported cheeses, meats, olives and specialty food items. The series of bi-weekly cooking classes being offered now through December will explore Italian cuisine techniques with history and tasting of regional products. Each class is designed to focus on a specific menu, discovering the flavors of Antipasto (appetizers) through Zuppa (soups) and including Insalata (salads, oils and vinegars), Pasta (pairing of sauces with various pastas), Risotto (savory and sweet rice dishes), Dolci di Ricotta (sweetened ricotta desserts, such as cannoli, cassata and cassateda) and Biscotti di Natale (Christmas Cookies).

Classes are being presented by Sandra Scalise Juneau, a local culinary historian and food editor whose passion for teaching and writing about our regional food culture has particularly been influenced by her two Sicilian Grandmothers, from whom she was privileged to learn first hand about the Italian traditions of food as art.

The upcoming class, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17th, will feature Zuppa, exploring the regional Italian soups of Pasta Fagioli ala Menthe (sautéed peas and fresh mint, served with Ditalini pasta and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese imported from the Emilia-Romagna region), Crema della Zucca (cream based, roasted pumpkin bisque, Sicilian style) and Stracciatella (an exquisitely simple traditional Roman soup).

Just Italy is located at 710 Aris Avenue, just a half block off Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Class sizes are limited and reservations are accepted for the full series, or you may reserve for individual classes at $30 per person. For Reservations, call Just Italy, 504-832-9292.